Curtain liner attachment system and methods of using the same

ABSTRACT

A curtain liner attachment system that includes a curtain and a liner. The curtain includes a mounting portion for engagement with a mounting structure, and a coupling portion that includes one or more fasteners. The liner also includes a coupling portion including one or more fasteners that are configured for engagement with the fasteners of the curtain.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of pending Prov. Appl. Ser. No.62/232,495 filed on Sep. 25, 2015—the contents of which are incorporatedby reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to liner attachment systems forcurtains, and, in particular, to liner attachment systems for curtainsthat facilitate the quick and easy removal and attachment of modularliner panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Curtains may include sections of material that cover areas such aswindows, archways, doorways, and entrances, to name a few.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to use curtains having otherfunctional properties, for example, light-blocking properties, thermallyinsulative properties, or fluid resistant properties, to name a few. Forexample, in the morning it may be desirable to have a curtain thatblocks incoming light from a window or door, for example, so as not todisturb sleep. In cold weather, it may be desirable to trap heat in aroom behind a curtain. In other situations, a curtain may be chosen toallow a desired amount of daylight into a room. Thus, it is desirable tohave a curtain system that allows for interchangeability of liners toaccount for different situations.

Because the replacement of curtains for different situations may becostly and/or time-consuming, liner panels for curtains are availablethat can supplement or alter the performance properties of the curtain.Such liner materials may be suspended or otherwise disposed along anarea independently of the curtain. For example, the liner is often hungon a separate rod from the curtain. Or, the liner is hung on the samerod as the curtain, but the liner is not affixed to the curtain. As aresult, the liner moves independently of the curtain. The liner may alsoobscure a physical feature of the curtain, such as pleats, folds, orruffles.

Conventional curtain liner attachment systems have been provided thathook or clip liner panels to curtains. However, Applicant has discoveredthat such conventional systems for attaching liner panels to curtainscan be difficult and/or time-consuming to use, and/or may cause damageor undesired alteration to the curtain. For example, the individualremoval of multiple clips or hooks may be difficult, inefficient, and/ormay result in one or more portions of a curtain being pierced or torn.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a liner attachmentsystem for curtains that facilitates quick and easy attachment andremoval of modular liner panels for curtains. In exemplary embodiments,a liner attachment system is provided in which complementary couplingportions that include respective fasteners, for example, a strip of snapfasteners, are disposed on each of a curtain and a liner such that theliner can be easily removed, attached, or replaced with respect to thecurtain for a variety of situations. In this regard, options for usingdifferent curtain liners are provided without the disadvantages ofconventional liner attachment methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention will be more fully understood with reference to the following,detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a curtain liner attachment system, whichincludes a curtain and a liner, according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a curtain liner attachment systemaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a curtain liner attachment system of FIG.2, showing opposite sides of the respective curtain and liner;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a liner texture according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of a curtain liner attachmentaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the invention shown partiallydisassembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to liner attachment systems for curtainsthat facilitates quick and easy removal and attachment of modular linerpanels.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a curtain linerattachment system is generally designated 100. Referring additionally tothe schematic view of curtain liner attachment system 100 in FIGS. 2 and3, curtain liner attachment system 100, includes a curtain 10 and aliner 20 that are configured for releasable coupling, as describedfurther herein.

In embodiments of the invention, curtain 10 is a sheet of materialhaving a height that is defined by a top edge and a bottom edge that aresubstantially parallel to one another, and a width that is defined byside edges that are substantially parallel to one another.

Curtain 10 may be a section of textile material, for example a cloth orfabric. In some embodiments, curtain 10 may be formed of a materialincluding one or more materials, for example, cotton, wool, silk,velvet, or polymeric materials (such as nylon or polyester). Curtain 10may be formed of a single layer of material, or may be formed ofmultiple layers of material. Curtain 10 may be square, rectangular, orotherwise-shaped may be dimensioned to cover a desired area, and may betextured or patterned to suit a surrounding environment. Curtain 10 mayinclude one or more hemmed, e.g., folded and stitched, portions, forexample, to inhibit edge material from fraying, to add in weightdistribution, and/or for aesthetics.

Curtain 10, as shown in FIG. 2, includes a mounting portion 12 near thetop edge. Mounting portion 12 is configured to engage and/or at leastpartially receive a mounting structure, such as a curtain rod or hooks.In embodiments of the invention, mounting portion 12 may be any ofvarious mounting mechanisms, for example, one or more rod pockets, e.g.,one or more looped or joined sections of material that receive amounting rod or bar such that curtain 10 can be suspended therefrom,grommets, eyelets, front tab, cut tab, back tab, or such similar devicesthat engage with a wall mounted rod, hooks or the like. For example, inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the mounting portion is formed of aseries of holes or openings that are sized and shaped to receive a rod.In still other embodiments, mounting portion 12 may be configured forcoupling with other types of mounting structures such as movable tracksor hook-and-loop type couplings. Mounting portion 12 may be integrallyformed with the remainder of curtain 10, or may be joined with theremainder of curtain 10, for example, via stitching. In someembodiments, mounting portion 12 may be a reinforced region of materialto provide additional support for the weight of the remainder of curtain10.

Curtain 10 also includes a coupling portion 14 along a surface thereofto facilitate coupling with liner 20, as described further herein.Coupling portion 14 may be disposed below mounting portion 12 alongcurtain 10, as shown in FIG. 2, or may be at least partially coextensivewith coupling portion 14. As described herein, coupling portion 14 maybe disposed on a front side or a back side of curtain 10. In anembodiment of the invention, coupling portion 14 is provided on the rear(e.g. window-facing) side of curtain 10 such that a liner mountedthereto remains hidden from view when inside the room where the curtainis hung.

In embodiments of the invention, coupling portion 14 include one or morefasteners 16, preferably positioned in a substantially linear fashion.For example, coupling portion 14 may be a series of snaps or hooks thatare affixed to the curtain. Alternatively, coupling portion 14 may beformed of a hook-and-loop-type fastener (e.g. Velcro®), or othermaterial, which may be stitched, adhered, heat or ultrasonically welded,or otherwise joined with curtain 10. In some embodiments, couplingportion 14 may be integrally formed with a section of curtain 10, e.g.,may be a section of curtain 10 that includes fasteners directly attachedto or formed thereon.

In embodiments of the invention, coupling portion 14 on the curtain 10includes individual fasteners 16 that are each one portion of a couplingmember, (for example, female portion of a snap fastener) such thatengaging a corresponding coupling member (e.g. a male portion of a snapfastener) provided on a liner will allow for a temporary connection of aliner 20 to curtain 10. In the exemplary embodiment shown, fasteners 16may be female or male-type snap fasteners, which may be formed of ametallic material, a composite material, or a polymeric material such asplastic. In other embodiments, coupling portion 14 may include one ormore different types of fasteners, for example, buttons, clips, hooks,eyelets or grommets, hook-and-loop-type fasteners, tying members,magnetic strips, or adhesive tape, to name a few. In other embodiments,fasteners 16 may be one or more zipper tracks.

Fasteners 16, as shown, may be uniformly spaced across coupling portion14. In other embodiments, fasteners 16 may have non-uniform spacing.Fasteners 16 may be spaced at intervals corresponding to another featureof curtain 10, for example, corresponding to a spacing of grommets orother features of mounting portion 12, or in relation to pleats, folds,or ruffles.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show schematic views of curtain 10 and liner 20 positionedside-by-side. In embodiments of the invention, liner 10 is a sheet ofmaterial having a height that is defined by a top edge and a bottom edgethat are substantially parallel to one another and a width that isdefined by side edges that are substantially parallel to one another. Inan embodiment of the invention, the height of liner 20 is less than thatof curtain 10.

Liner 20 may be a section of textile material, for example a cloth orfabric. In some embodiments, liner 20 may be formed of a materialincluding one or more materials, for example, cotton, wool, silk,velvet, or polymeric materials (such as nylon or polyester). Asdescribed above, liner 20 may be configured with performance propertiesthat supplement and/or alter performance properties of curtain 10. Forexample, liner 20 may be configured to provide light-blockingproperties, e.g., as a blackout liner. In such embodiments, liner 20 maybe configured with a thickness or other property, e.g., thread count,such that light is at least partially blocked from passage therethrough.

In other embodiments, liner 20 may be configured withthermally-insulating properties so as to provide an energy-savingattachment for curtain 10. In such embodiments, liner 20 may be formedof a material with low thermal conductivity or may be configured suchthat heat loss through liner 20 is minimized. Alternatively, liner 20may be configured with thermally conductive properties, e.g., to absorbsolar energy as a heat source for a surrounding environment.

In still other embodiments, liner 20 may be configured withfluid-resistant properties, for example, as a protective barrier forcurtain 10 in which fluids may be present. Alternatively, liner 20 maybe configured with fluid-absorptive properties, e.g., hydrophilicproperties.

In yet other embodiments, liner 20 may be provided with a texture thatis pleasant to the touch, or complements a surrounding environment, forexample, a fleece texture. Referring momentarily to FIG. 4, an exampleof a texture for liner 20 according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention is shown.

In other embodiments, liner 20 may be configured to inhibit the passageof radiation, for example, ultraviolet radiation, therethrough, e.g., asa sun-blocking member.

In still other embodiments, liner 20 may provide a mechanical dampeningeffect, e.g., for noice reduction and/or shock absorption.

In some embodiments, liners 20 may have a different configuration, forexample, a plain white configuration such as in a backdrop, or areflective configuration. It will be understood that a liner 20 may beconfigured with other properties to suit different needs as are known inthe art.

Still referring again to FIGS. 2, and 3, liner 20 includes a couplingportion 22 along a surface thereof to facilitate attachment of the liner20 to curtain 10, as described further herein. In embodiments of theinvention, coupling portion 22 is positioned on the front (room-facing)surface of the liner 20 and is disposed near or at a top end of liner20. In embodiments of the invention coupling portion 22 may be a seriesof snaps or hooks that are affixed to the liner 20. Alternatively,coupling portion 22 may be formed of a hook-and-loop-type fastener (e.g.Velcro®), or other material, which may be stitched, adhered, heat orultrasonically welded, or otherwise joined with liner 20. Couplingportion 22 of liner 20 has a complementary configuration to couplingportion 14 of curtain 10 described above, such that when respectivecoupling portions engage they connect liner 20 to curtain 10.Accordingly, coupling portion 22 may include a number of fasteners 24corresponding to the fasteners 16 disposed on curtain 10.

In embodiments of the invention, coupling portion 22 of liner 20includes individual fasteners 24 (for example, a male portion of a snapfastener) that mate with corresponding fasteners (e.g. a female portionof a snap fastener) on the curtain 10. These mating fasteners allow fora temporary connection of liner 20 to curtain 10. In the exemplaryembodiment shown, fasteners 24 are male-type snap fasteners, which maybe formed of a metallic material, a composite material, or a polymericmaterial such as plastic. In other embodiments, liner 20 may includemale-type snap fasteners and curtain 10 may include correspondingfemale-type snap members. In some embodiments, coupling portion 22 mayinclude one or more different types of fasteners, for example, buttons,clips, hooks, eyelets or grommets, hook-and-loop-type fasteners, tyingmembers, magnetic strips, or adhesive tape, to name a few. In otherembodiments, fasteners 24 may be one or more zipper tracks. It will beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art that any of variousfasteners may be used to temporarily connect liner 20 to curtain 10.

The attachment system 100 provides a curtain 10 with coupling portion 14and one or more liners 20 with respective coupling portions 22 such thatliners 20 can be quickly and easily attached and removed from curtain10. Such a system facilitates the modular replacement of liners 20 fordifferent purposes, for example, light-transmissivity, thermalperformance, fluid performance, texture, and/or aesthetics, to name afew. In this regard, various liners 20 can be added, removed, orreplaced with respect to curtain 10, for example, seasonally, forspecific occasions, or during maintenance such as cleaning.

In use, a user aligns the coupling portion 22 of liner 20 with couplingportion 14 of curtain 10 and engages the fasteners to connect the two.In embodiments of the invention where coupling portion 16 of curtain 10is located below the mounting portion 12 thereof, then correspondingliner 20 has a height that is less than that of curtain 10. As such,liner 20 is connected to curtain 10 below the mounting portion 12eliminating any possibility of obstruction or impedance of the curtainmounting.

Turning to FIG. 5, in use, a user may separate liner 20 from curtain 10by grabbing a portion of liner 20 and pulling away from curtain 10. Anoperator may individually unfasten corresponding fasteners 16, 24 fromone another, or may exert a force such that multiple correspondingfasteners 16, 24 are disengaged from one another simultaneously or inseries, for example, in a peeling-type effect.

Various modifications to liner attachment system 100 described hereinare contemplated. For example, curtain 10 and/or liner 20 may eachinclude multiple respective complementary coupling portions 14, 22 suchthat curtain 10 and/or liner 20 are coupled along more than one sectionthereof, for example, a top section, a bottom section, side sections,and/or a central section, to name a few. In some embodiments, couplingportions 14, 22 may be removable from the respective curtain 10 and/orliner 20. Curtain 10 and/or liner 20 as described herein may also beprovided with flaps or pockets with which the presence of couplingportions 14, 22 can be obscured from view, e.g., for aesthetics.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with theembodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as setforth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Variouschanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is: 1) A curtain attachment system, comprising: acurtain comprising a sheet of material having a height, a width, a frontsurface and rear surface; the curtain further comprising a mountingportion and a curtain coupling portion, whereby the curtain couplingportion comprises at least a first mating fastener affixed to thecurtain; a liner comprising a sheet of material having a height, awidth, a front surface and a rear surface and a liner coupling portion,whereby the liner coupling portion comprises at least a second matingfastener configured to engage with the first mating fastener on thecurtain. 2) The curtain attachment system of claim 1, whereby thecurtain coupling portion is disposed on the rear surface of the curtain.3) The curtain attachment system of claim 1, whereby the liner couplingportion is disposed on the front surface thereof. 4) The curtainattachment system of claim 1, whereby the height of the liner is lessthan the height of the curtain. 5) The curtain attachment system ofclaim 1, whereby the mounting portion comprises openings for receiving abar. 6) The curtain attachment system of claim 1, whereby the curtaincoupling portion comprises a series of fasteners. 7) The curtainattachment system of claim 6, whereby the liner coupling portioncomprises a series of fasteners that are complementary to the series offasteners on the curtain. 8) The curtain attachment system of claim 1,whereby the fasteners on curtain are male members and the fasteners onthe liner are female members. 9) The curtain attachment system of claim1, whereby the fasteners on curtain are female members and the fastenerson the liner are male members. 10) The curtain attachment system ofclaim 1, whereby the curtain is formed of a fabric material. 11) Thecurtain attachment system of claim 1, whereby the liner comprises alight-blocking material. 12) The curtain attachment system of claim 1,whereby the liner comprises insulative material. 13) A liner attachmentsystem, comprising: a liner comprising a sheet of material having aheight, a width, a front surface and a rear surface and a couplingportion, whereby the coupling portion comprises one or more matingfasteners configured to engage with corresponding one or more matingfastener provided on a curtain.